openwrt/docs/kwrt-vs-immortalwrt-guide.md

# KWRT vs ImmortalWrt - Comprehensive Comparison

**Created:** 2026-01-12  
**Purpose:** Deep dive into the two main community OpenWrt forks available for GL-AX1800

---

## 🌟 Executive Summary

Both **KWRT** and **ImmortalWrt** are enhanced forks of OpenWrt that add features, packages, and optimizations beyond vanilla OpenWrt. However, they target different audiences and have distinct philosophies:

- **KWRT (Koolshare OpenWrt by Kiddin9):** Chinese-focused, online firmware customization, bleeding-edge packages
- **ImmortalWrt:** International fork with performance optimizations, broader device support, more conservative approach

---

## 1️⃣ KWRT (Koolshare OpenWrt / Kiddin9 OpenWrt)

### What Is KWRT?

**Full Name:** Koolshare OpenWrt (also known as Kiddin9's OpenWrt or just "Kwrt")  
**Developer:** Kiddin9  
**Website:** https://openwrt.ai  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/kiddin9/OpenWrt_x86-r2s-r4s

### Philosophy

KWRT aims to provide **maximum customization** through an online build platform while maintaining the latest OpenWrt code with extensive plugin/package support. It's particularly popular in the Chinese OpenWrt community but supports international users.

### Key Features

#### 🔧 Online Firmware Customization
- **Web-based Builder:** Visit openwrt.ai to customize firmware before download
- **Kernel Selection:** Choose from multiple kernel versions (5.15.x, 6.1.x, 6.6.x, 6.12.x)
- **Package Pre-selection:** Select packages to include before compilation
- **Theme Options:** Choose default LuCI theme
- **File System:** Ext4 support for sponsored users

#### 📦 Extensive Package Repository
- Maintains comprehensive GitHub repos for OpenWrt packages
- **Vast collection** of open-source plugins
- Many packages commonly needed by Chinese users
- Third-party packages and tools not in official OpenWrt

**Common Default Packages:**
- `autocore` - System auto-configuration
- `base-files` - Core system files
- `bash` - Full bash shell (not just busybox ash)
- `dnsmasq-full` - Enhanced DNS/DHCP server
- `firewall4` - NFTables firewall
- `luci-app-firewall` - Firewall web interface
- `openssh-sftp-server` - SFTP support

**Optional Packages** (examples):
- `luci-app-accesscontrol-plus` - Access control
- `luci-app-adbyby-plus` / `luci-app-adguardhome` - Ad blocking
- `luci-app-aliyundrive-webdav` - Cloud drive integration
- `luci-app-aria2` - Download management
- Network proxy tools: `koolss` (SS/SSR), `v2ray`, `wireguard`, `brook`

#### 🏗️ Architecture Support
Unlike Koolshare's original X64-only focus, Kiddin9's KWRT supports:
- **X86_64** - Desktop/server platforms
- **i386_pentium4** - Older Intel platforms
- **aarch64** - Generic, Cortex-A72, Cortex-A53 (← **GL-AX1800 uses this**)
- **ARM** - Cortex-A9, Cortex-A7, ARM1176JZF-S
- **MIPS** - mipsel_24kc, mips_24kc
- Devices: Raspberry Pi, N1, various routers

#### 🚀 Build Frequency
- **Monthly snapshots** (typically around the 10th of each month)
- Based on latest OpenWrt master
- Dated builds (MM.DD.YYYY format)

#### 🖥️ Web Server
- Uses **Nginx** instead of Uhttpd
- Better performance for web services
- Enhanced HTTP server capabilities

### For GL-AX1800 Specifically

**Target:** `qualcommax/ipq60xx`  
**Architecture:** aarch64_cortex-a53  
**Build Example:** `kwrt-01.10.2026-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-factory.bin`

**Installation:**
1. Enter U-Boot mode (hold reset, power on, 10 sec)
2. Browse to http://192.168.1.1
3. Flash `.bin` or `.ubi` factory image
4. For upgrades: use `sysupgrade.bin`

**Available Files:**
- **Factory.bin** - Standard factory image
- **Factory.ubi** - UBI format for NAND flash
- **Sysupgrade.bin** - For OpenWrt→OpenWrt upgrades

### Pros

✅ **Online customization** - Build exactly what you need  
✅ **Latest packages** - Bleeding-edge versions  
✅ **LuCI included** - Web interface by default  
✅ **Nginx** - Better web server  
✅ **More pre-installed** - Many useful packages out-of-box  
✅ **Regular builds** - Monthly updates  
✅ **Wide hardware support** - Many architectures  
✅ **Active development** - Frequent commits

### Cons

⚠️ **Chinese-focused** - Documentation/UI primarily Chinese  
⚠️ **Less stable** - Monthly builds, less testing than releases  
⚠️ **Non-upstreamable** - Custom patches not in official OpenWrt  
⚠️ **Larger images** - More packages = bigger firmware  
⚠️ **Slow download** - openwrt.ai server can be very slow  
⚠️ **Less support** - Smaller international community

### When to Choose KWRT

**Choose KWRT if you:**
- Want maximum customization before download
- Need specific Chinese-region packages/tools
- Want the latest packages immediately
- Prefer pre-configured systems
- Are comfortable with monthly snapshot builds
- Like having many options/plugins available
- Can read/navigate Chinese interfaces

---

## 2️⃣ ImmortalWrt

### What Is ImmortalWrt?

**Full Name:** ImmortalWrt  
**Type:** OpenWrt fork  
**Developer:** Chinese developer community  
**Website:** https://immortalwrt.org  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/immortalwrt/immortalwrt

### Philosophy

ImmortalWrt aims to **enhance OpenWrt** with better performance, more device support, and additional packages while maintaining a more traditional approach than KWRT. Focus on performance optimization and "non-upstreamable" improvements.

### Key Features

#### ⚡ Performance Optimization
- **Wireless driver optimization** - Enhanced Wi-Fi performance
- **Kernel optimization** - Tuned for better speed/stability
- **MediaTek focus** - Particularly good for MTK chips
- Users report better performance vs vanilla OpenWrt in many cases
- **High network speed** - Optimized for throughput

#### 🔧 Out-of-the-Box Functionality
- More features **pre-enabled** vs official OpenWrt
- Less manual configuration needed
- Better defaults for common use cases

#### 📱 Device Support
- **Wider range of devices** than official OpenWrt
- Particularly: Chinese-branded routers
- Single-board computers (SBCs)
- Devices not officially supported by mainstream OpenWrt
- **Faster adoption** of new hardware

#### 🌍 Localization
- Default optimized profiles for mainland China
- Includes Chinese-specific optimizations
- More international than KWRT
- English documentation available

#### 📦 Package Differences
- Uses `opkg` package manager (same as OpenWrt)
- **More packages ported** than vanilla
- Includes packages commonly needed by Chinese users
- Third-party packages addressing local internet requirements
- Approximately **8000+ packages** available

#### 🔄 Release Model
- **Stable releases** - e.g., 23.05.7
- **Snapshot builds** - Daily/regular updates
- More conservative than KWRT's monthly approach

### For GL-AX1800 Specifically

**Target:** `qualcommax/ipq60xx`  
**Architecture:** aarch64_cortex-a53  
**GCC:** 12.3.0 (stable), 14.3.0 (snapshots)

**Stable Release:** 23.05.7  
- **URL:** https://downloads.immortalwrt.org/releases/23.05.7/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/
- **Note:** GL-AX1800 support may not be in stable yet (404 errors observed)

**Snapshots:**
- **URL:** https://downloads.immortalwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/
- Regular builds available

**File Pattern:**
```
immortalwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-factory.bin
immortalwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin
```

### Pros

✅ **Performance** - Optimized for speed/stability  
✅ **Device support** - More hardware than vanilla  
✅ **Stable releases** - Not just snapshots  
✅ **LuCI included** - Web interface by default  
✅ **More international** - Better English support than KWRT  
✅ **Frequent updates** - Bug fixes come quickly  
✅ **Better drivers** - Enhanced wireless drivers  
✅ **Proven track record** - Established fork  
✅ **Less bloated** - More focused than KWRT

### Cons

⚠️ **Non-upstreamable** - Custom patches not in official OpenWrt  
⚠️ **Less mainstream** - Smaller than vanilla OpenWrt community  
⚠️ **Custom tweaks** - May conflict with official packages  
⚠️ **Documentation** - Less comprehensive than vanilla  
⚠️ **Update lag** - Sometimes behind vanilla on security updates  
⚠️ **Regional focus** - Still Chinese-oriented

### When to Choose ImmortalWrt

**Choose ImmortalWrt if you:**
- Want **better performance** than vanilla OpenWrt
- Need support for Chinese/Asian hardware
- Prefer **stable releases** over snapshots
- Want more packages but not KWRT's full collection
- Like the balance between vanilla and heavily customized
- Need MediaTek optimization
- Want frequent bug fixes
- Prefer a more traditional OpenWrt experience

---

## 📊 Detailed Comparison Matrix

| Feature | Vanilla OpenWrt | KWRT (Kiddin9) | ImmortalWrt |
|---------|----------------|----------------|-------------|
| **Philosophy** | Upstream-first, stability | Maximum customization | Performance + support |
| **Release Model** | Stable + snapshots | Monthly builds | Stable + snapshots |
| **Stability** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| **Performance** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| **Device Support** | Wide | Very Wide | Widest |
| **Package Count** | ~8000 | ~10000+ | ~8000+ |
| **Pre-installed** | Minimal | Many | More than vanilla |
| **Customization** | Manual | **Online builder** | Manual |
| **LuCI Included** | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Web Server** | Uhttpd | **Nginx** | Uhttpd |
| **Chinese Focus** | No | Strong | Moderate |
| **International** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| **Documentation** | Excellent | Limited | Good |
| **Community Size** | Huge | Small | Medium |
| **Update Speed** | Moderate | Fast (monthly) | Fast |
| **Build Frequency** | Daily snapshots | Monthly dated | Regular |
| **Security Updates** | Fastest | Moderate | Fast |
| **Upstream Compat.** | Perfect | Modified | Modified |
| **File Size** | Smallest | Largest | Medium |
| **Learning Curve** | Medium | Medium | Easy-Medium |

---

## 🎯 Which Should You Choose for GL-AX1800?

### Choose **Vanilla OpenWrt 25.12.0-rc2** If:
- Want official, well-supported firmware
- Value **stability** and security above all
- Need reliable security updates
- Want largest community support
- Comfortable with SSH/manual package installation
- ✅ **RECOMMENDED for most users**

### Choose **KWRT** If:
- Want **online firmware customization**
- Need specific Chinese-region tools
- Want bleeding-edge packages immediately
- Like pre-configured systems with many options
- Don't mind monthly snapshot builds
- Can navigate Chinese interfaces
- Want Nginx web server
- Enjoy tinkering with latest features

### Choose **ImmortalWrt** If:
- Want **best performance** optimization
- Need stable releases with extra features
- Want balance between vanilla and KWRT
- Prefer traditional OpenWrt feel with enhancements
- Like more international focus than KWRT
- Want enhanced wireless drivers
- Need quick bug fixes
- Want more packages than vanilla but not KWRT's full selection

---

## 🔍 Technical Differences

### Package Management

**All three use `opkg`** but with different repositories:

```bash
# Vanilla OpenWrt
opkg update
opkg install <package>

# KWRT
# Pre-configured with Kiddin9's repos
# Nginx instead of Uhttpd
# More packages available by default

# ImmortalWrt
# Own package repos
# More packages ported
# Chinese-specific tools included
```

### Kernel Versions

| Firmware | Kernel | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| OpenWrt 25.12-rc2 | 6.6.x | LTS kernel |
| OpenWrt Master | 6.6.x+ | Latest stable |
| KWRT | 5.15.x -6.12.x | **User selectable!** |
| ImmortalWrt Stable | 5.15.x | Conservative |
| ImmortalWrt Snapshot | 6.6.x | Latest |

### GCC Toolchain

| Firmware | GCC Version | C++ Support |
|----------|-------------|-------------|
| OpenWrt 25.12-rc2 | 14.3.0 | C++23 |
| OpenWrt Master | 14.3.0 | C++23 |
| KWRT | 14.3.0 | C++23 |
| ImmortalWrt 23.05 | 12.3.0 | C++20 |
| ImmortalWrt Snapshot | 14.3.0 | C++23 |

---

## 📥 Download Links for GL-AX1800

### KWRT
```
https://dl.openwrt.ai/firmware/qualcommax-ipq60xx/glinet_gl-ax1800/

Latest: kwrt-01.10.2026-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-factory.bin
```

### ImmortalWrt Snapshots
```
https://downloads.immortalwrt.org/snapshots/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/

Latest: immortalwrt-qualcommax-ipq60xx-glinet_gl-ax1800-squashfs-factory.bin
```

### ImmortalWrt Stable (if available)
```
https://downloads.immortalwrt.org/releases/23.05.7/targets/qualcommax/ipq60xx/
```

---

## 💡 Real-World Use Cases

### Home Lab / Development
**Recommendation:** KWRT or OpenWrt Master
- Online customization for dev tools
- Latest GCC for compiling
- Many packages available

### Production Router / Reliability
**Recommendation:** ImmortalWrt Stable or OpenWrt 25.12-rc2
- Stable releases
- Performance optimized
- LuCI included

### Chinese Internet / Region-Specific
**Recommendation:** KWRT
- Best Chinese tool support
- Optimized for region
- Custom packages included

### Performance Testing / Benchmarking
**Recommendation:** ImmortalWrt
- Best wireless performance
- Kernel optimizations
- Proven speed improvements

### Learning OpenWrt / First Time
**Recommendation:** OpenWrt 25.12-rc2
- Official documentation
- Largest community
- Best learning resources

---

## 🚀 My Recommendation for Your GL-AX1800

Based on having downloaded multiple firmware variants:

**1st Choice: OpenWrt 25.12.0-rc2** ⭐  
- Stable release candidate
- Native IPQ6000 support
- LuCI included
- GCC 14.3.0
- Will become official stable soon

**2nd Choice: ImmortalWrt Snapshot**  
- If you need better performance
- Stable enough for daily use
- More packages than vanilla

**3rd Choice: KWRT**  
- If you want to experiment
- Try the online customization
- Test bleeding-edge packages

**Avoid for Production: OpenWrt Master Snapshots**  
- Too unstable (daily builds)
- Use 25.12-rc2 instead

---

## 🛠️ Installation Tips

Both KWRT and ImmortalWrt install the same way as vanilla OpenWrt:

### U-Boot Method (Recommended)
1. Power off router
2. Hold reset button while powering on
3. Hold 10 seconds until LED blinks
4. Set PC IP: 192.168.1.100
5. Browse: http://192.168.1.1
6. Upload factory.bin file
7. Wait 3-5 minutes

### Via SSH (if already running OpenWrt)
```bash
scp firmware.bin root@192.168.x.1:/tmp/
ssh root@192.168.x.1
sysupgrade -n /tmp/firmware.bin
```

---

## 📚 Additional Resources

### KWRT
- Website: https://openwrt.ai
- GitHub: https://github.com/kiddin9/OpenWrt_x86-r2s-r4s
- Packages: https://github.com/kiddin9/openwrt-packages

### ImmortalWrt
- Website: https://immortalwrt.org
- GitHub: https://github.com/immortalwrt/immortalwrt
- Forum: Various Chinese and international forums

### Community
- OpenWrt Forum: https://forum.openwrt.org
- Reddit: r/openwrt
- GL.iNet Forum: https://forum.gl-inet.com

---

## 📝 Summary

- **KWRT = Customization King** 👑 (online builder, many packages, Chinese-focused)
- **ImmortalWrt = Performance Beast** ⚡ (optimized, stable, balanced)
- **Vanilla OpenWrt = Rock Solid** 🗿 (official, supported, stable)

All three work great on GL-AX1800 with the `qualcommax/ipq60xx` target!